Feminist Leadership Series: #2 with Helene Wolf and Maya Tamayo

04/08/24 • 71 min

The Hive Collective Podcast: Shifting Power in Nonprofits

In this episode, Beth Ellen, Maya, and Helene delve into the challenges and dynamics of feminist work, particularly focusing on the transition towards professionalization and the need for fair compensation. The conversation illuminates the dilemma faced by organizations in balancing volunteer-driven efforts with the necessity of paid roles, underscoring the impact of this shift on accessibility and inclusivity within the movement. It explores the historical expectation for board members to work for free, a practice that inadvertently reinforces existing power structures by limiting participation to those with the financial ability to volunteer.

They discuss the significance of reevaluating governance and compensation structures through a feminist, intersectional lens to ensure diverse perspectives are included, moving towards a more equitable and effective approach in feminist organizations. They touch on the global context, noting the challenges of professionalizing feminist work amidst opposition in various regions, and the implications for organizational governance and power distribution.

They advocate for a shift from traditional, patriarchal governance models towards frameworks that are inclusive, supportive, and collaborative, emphasizing the importance of intentional restructuring to align internal structures with advocacy goals. This dialogue highlights the journey towards creating equitable, effective, and transformative feminist governance and advocacy efforts, advocating for a reimagined approach to compensation and participation that prioritizes inclusivity and fairness.

The Hive Collective is a strategic partner to nonprofits and NGOs all over the world. Reach out to us at [email protected]
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Previous Episode

Feminist Leadership Series: Sana Mustafa of Asylum Access

The Feminist Leadership Series of this podcast continues as we feature the remarkable Sana Mustafa, CEO of Asylum Access. This discussion delves into how feminist leadership shapes governance and the conscious effort to share power within organizations. Sana shares her advocacy for leaders to empower their teams by exercising the right to decline demands that clash with their values, stressing that 'No' can be a powerful response to donors and partners. We also uncover how opening up discussions about these conflicts leads to positive outcomes and stronger partnerships built on mutual values. Sana addresses organizational dynamics, with a focus on how including refugee leadership and varied lived experiences within board structures can revolutionize traditional governance. Cutting through the façade of performative board practices, Sana emphasizes the limitations of traditional metrics of qualifications and the profound impact of inclusivity in hiring. By equipping underrepresented individuals with power rather than mere representation, real change takes place. The podcast explores the intersecting forms of oppression, such as racism, sexism, and classism, and the pursuit of liberation informed by feminist principles. Sana criticizes select feminist theories that fail to account for class and capitalism and calls for internal change in organizations to dismantle patriarchal and capitalistic power structures. We get a glimpse into the practical steps Asylum Access is taking to manifest this change, from board support to expert guidance.

Sana Mustafa bio:

Sana Ali Mustafa is a movement leader in the forced displacement sector and a feminist human rights activist fighting against systems of oppression in Syria and around the world. Sana’s work has been informed by her experiences as a brown, queer, Arab, and forcibly displaced woman. After being forcibly displaced by the Assad regime, Sana led the establishment of global efforts for the representation and inclusion of forcibly displaced persons, such as the Global Refugee-led Network. Sana is currently Chief Executive Officer of Asylum Access, where she leads the organization’s work to dismantle decades of colonialism, fight for self-representation, and build intersectional coalitions to demand human rights for all forcibly displaced people.

Prior to joining Asylum Access, Sana managed her own consulting business where she helped over a dozen public and private sector organizations such as Oxfam International, Open Society Foundations, United Nations, WeWork, and others to establish strategies to operate more equitably in support of refugee rights and refugee leadership.

Sana is also an active public speaker. She has delivered a TED talk and spoken at the United Nations headquarters in New York, the National Press Club in Washington, D.C, the Carnegie Endowment, the White House, Harvard Law School, Stanford, and numerous other venues.

Sana is a board member of Karam Foundation, which helps Syrian refugee youth in Turkey harness their ambition and creativity. Sana is also a member of Syria’s first Syrian Women’s Political Movement, a coalition with the aim of uniting women from across professional fields and ethnic lines to create a vision for women’s inclusion in a future Syria.

Next Episode

Harrison Brookie: Improv Comedy for Organizations

In this episode, we dive into the world of improv with Harrison Brookie, the Executive Director of Alchemy Comedy Theater. Harrison shares his journey into improv, starting from a theater requirement in college to leading a successful comedy theater in Greenville, South Carolina. He explains the essence of Alchemy Comedy, highlighting their weekly shows, classes, and corporate training programs.
Harrison's journey began with a simple requirement: participate in a theater production during his time as an education major at Clemson University. Seeking the least demanding option, he stumbled upon improv. What started as a convenient choice turned into a passion that has now spanned two decades.
Alchemy Comedy Theater, named after the concept of transforming the mundane into something precious, offers a range of classes from beginner to advanced levels. These classes teach students how to create something out of nothing, turning audience suggestions into comedy gold. The theater also engages in corporate training, demonstrating the practical applications of improv in the workplace.
Harrison delves into how improv skills are relevant to management and working with people. He emphasizes the importance of the "Yes, and" principle, where accepting and building on ideas fosters creativity and collaboration. This mindset encourages teams to explore the potential in every idea, leading to innovative solutions that no one person could have conceived alone.
One notable concept Harrison shares is the idea of adding "1% weird" to interactions. This principle encourages participants to spot and highlight unique, interesting aspects of a situation, making interactions more engaging and memorable. This approach not only makes business processes more enjoyable but also helps in identifying patterns and generating creative solutions.
Harrison also discusses the importance of ensemble thinking in improv, which parallels effective teamwork in any organization. He draws from his experience as a high school U.S. history teacher, illustrating how improv techniques enhance storytelling and engage students. He highlights the value of collaboration, where multiple perspectives and contributions lead to a richer and more dynamic outcome.
In a nonprofit context, Harrison explains how improv principles can be applied to team meetings and problem-solving. By fostering a culture of openness and humor, nonprofits can tackle serious issues like hunger with a fresh perspective. He encourages leaders to take themselves less seriously, allowing for a more relaxed environment where creativity can flourish.
Finally, Harrison underscores the role of leadership in creating a trusting and collaborative environment. He shares an anecdote about a CEO learning to accept feedback, illustrating the impact of genuine openness and the willingness to let others take the reins.
Tune in to this insightful episode to learn how the art of improv can transform your approach to leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving in the nonprofit sector.
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**Credits:**
Guest: Harrison Brookie, Executive Director of Alchemy Comedy Theater
Host: Beth Ellen Holimon
Podcast: The Hive Collective Podcast
Find us on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts
Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-ellen-holimon-cfre/
For more information about Alchemy Comedy Theater, visit: http://alchemycomedy.com/
@Beth Ellen Holimon
https://hivecollective.net